Iranian state-run media say President Ebrahim Raisi has been confirmed dead in a helicopter crash.
The aircraft reportedly went down on Sunday in Iran's northern province of East Azerbaijan after encountering thick fog.
Iranian state-run media say all people on board the helicopter were killed, including Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
Raisi and Abdollahian were traveling to inspect a dam project near the border with the country of Azerbaijan. The Iranian broadcaster showed footage of Raisi and other officials inspecting the dam.
A photo shows the helicopter taking-off before it reportedly encountered poor visibility.
After the crash, state-run media say rescuers searched through the night in a mountainous region over 2,500 meters above sea level, braving severe cold and snow. Search teams reportedly struggled with the bad weather.
The exact circumstances that led to the crash are still unknown.
Sixty-three-year old Raisi was elected president in June 2021. He was known as a hardline conservative on domestic policies. He was also considered one of the leading candidates to succeed Iran's 85-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On the diplomatic front, Raisi was highly critical of the West. Regarding Gaza, he expressed support for Hamas while opposing the United States' backing of Israel.
Under Raisi, Iran's government also strengthened military ties with Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Observers say his death could have impacts across multiple regions.
The aircraft reportedly went down on Sunday in Iran's northern province of East Azerbaijan after encountering thick fog.
Iranian state-run media say all people on board the helicopter were killed, including Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
Raisi and Abdollahian were traveling to inspect a dam project near the border with the country of Azerbaijan. The Iranian broadcaster showed footage of Raisi and other officials inspecting the dam.
A photo shows the helicopter taking-off before it reportedly encountered poor visibility.
After the crash, state-run media say rescuers searched through the night in a mountainous region over 2,500 meters above sea level, braving severe cold and snow. Search teams reportedly struggled with the bad weather.
The exact circumstances that led to the crash are still unknown.
Sixty-three-year old Raisi was elected president in June 2021. He was known as a hardline conservative on domestic policies. He was also considered one of the leading candidates to succeed Iran's 85-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On the diplomatic front, Raisi was highly critical of the West. Regarding Gaza, he expressed support for Hamas while opposing the United States' backing of Israel.
Under Raisi, Iran's government also strengthened military ties with Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Observers say his death could have impacts across multiple regions.
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Summary
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and others died in a helicopter crash on Sunday in East Azerbaijan province. The group was en route to inspect a dam project near the border with Azerbaijan when the aircraft reportedly encountered thick fog and crashed.
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ID: c5ea0c58-12f5-4bb0-bea3-edb0a1343bfa
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240520_27/
Date: May 20, 2024
Created: 2024/05/20 19:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 13:55
Last Read: 2024/05/20 23:01